China-Based Sun Paper will open a bio-refinery in Clark County, Arkansas. The company will invest more than $1 billion in the bio-products mill and create 250 new jobs.

Arkadelphia is located in the heart of Arkansas’ timber industry with easy access to Interstate 30. Forests cover about 18.8 million acres – about half of the state – mostly in South Arkansas.

“The fact Sun Paper is investing more than $1 billion in south Arkansas speaks volumes of their confidence in our workforce and pro-business environment,” said Governor Asa Hutchinson. “This is among the largest private investments in the state’s history and the impact will be felt for generations. Thanks to Sun Paper for choosing Arkansas as the location for its first North American facility.”

With the company’s $1 billion investment, Sun Paper’s investment in Arkansas is comparable to Big River Steel’s investment in Mississippi County, according to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. At the time that project was announced, it was the largest investment ever in Arkansas.

Headquartered in China’s Shandong Province, Sun Paper ranks among the top 500 Chinese enterprises and one of the world’s top pulp and paper makers. The company employs approximately 10,000 people worldwide.